27 November 2011

Turn Your Life Upside Down Olive Oil Apple Cake, with Vanilla and Cinnamon

Upside Down Olive Oil Apple Cake, with Vanilla and Cinnamon

The title for this recipe is a little over dramatic for sure, but I did suffer war wounds in the making of this cake when  I was not diligent in the use of the mandolin to slice the apples thinly. Was it worth it? Yes most definitely to taste a piece of this amazingly moist cake.

Those of you who follow More Than Burnt Toast know of my obsession with creating cakes made of olive oil in the Mediterranean tradition. Butter usually takes centre stage in baking when thinking of some of my favourites like butter tarts, buttery cream frosting and shortbread cookies. But there is something that draws me back time and time again to olive oil. After my successes with olive oil cakes made with blood oranges, clementines, Meyer lemon and poppy seed , banana, pumpkin and Ottolenghi's Apple Cake I thought that my next adventure would be apple and walnut. This "not-to-sweet" apple cake made with olive oil instead of butter, is a perfect  seasonal recipe using winter apples.



In warm-weather Mediterranean countries where olives grow, and where butter spoils quickly, sweets are more likely to be made with age-old olive oil. In Italy, bakers add olive oil to everything from biscotti to apple cakes. In Spain and Morocco, the zesty character of orange semolina cake is enhanced with fruity-flavoured olive oil. The tender, crumbly Greek cookies kourambiedes, too, are made with olive oil. Oil will tenderize your cake batter and help keep it moist. So it is often used in fruity, dense quick breads and muffins that are leavened with baking powder and baking soda. The trick is keeping mixing to a minimum to prevent developing tough strands of gluten.


**Upside Down Apple Cake, with Olive Oil, Vanilla and Cinnamon**
starting point La Tartine Gourmand

1/3 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons butter + to butter mold
3 to 4 medium-sized apples
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup blond cane sugar + 2 tablespoons
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 vanilla bean, cut in halves, seeds scraped out
3 eggs
1/2 cup minus 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
4 tablespoons almond flour

Preheat the oven at 350 F. Butter a round 9 inch mold — preferably non stick.

Place the nuts on a baking sheet and roast them until fragrant (about 5 to 7 minutes). Remove and cool them; chop coarsely and set aside.

Wash the apples and slice them finely (do not core them but remove the seeds).

In a non-stick frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons butter on medium heat, and add the apple slices with the cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar. Toss well and cook for about 4 minutes, or until slightly tender.

Arrange the apple slices at the bottom of the mold.

In a large bowl, pour the yogurt with the sugar. Add the vanilla seeds, and mix well. Add the eggs, and then the olive oil.

Finish with the flours, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nuts.

Pour this batter over the apples and bake the cake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the blade of a knife inserted in the cake comes out dry. Let the cake cool and then unmold on a rack.
 
You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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26 comments:

  1. Val:) I love your apple cake ans love has cinnamon and look delicious:)

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  2. oh that looks good. i made a chocolate cake once with olive oil and it was really good. To be honest I was shocked it was that good.
    Ouchee on the thumb!

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  3. What a beautiful cake, moist and delicious. Sorry to hear about your finger Val. Sounds just like something that I would happen to me.
    Sam

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  4. Your poor finger! I've started to really love adding olive oil to cakes...and the upside-down apples on top are a great touch!

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  5. Couldn't agree more about olive oil in cakes. Also, made your (and Nancy Silverton's :) ) turkey burgers tonight for my husband. He was in heaven. He are 3. I'm not exaggerating. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Hey Bellini, your Upside Down Cake is a Recipe Guessing Game on Knapkins. Think your friends can win? http://knapkins.com/guess_games/830?source=blog

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  7. A fantastic cake! Just the kind treat I enjoy.

    Poor thumb!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. mmmm this recipe sounds soo good. cant get enough apple cake, ever. also, interested in olive oil kourambiedies now that you've mentioned it.

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  9. All my war wounds seem to be kitchen related.

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  10. I am glad that your husband enjoyed the tirkey burgers Alexandara!!!

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  11. What a lovely cake, Val. This looks and sounds delicious. You recipe has moved to the top of my must try list. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  12. I need to make this - it looks beautiful and delicious.

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  13. Sorry for your booboo, but the cake looks incredible. I am also on the mend from mt broken elbow and so overly painful whrist. Wish I had a slife for comfort.

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  14. apple cake is one of the best desserts ever! yours looks particularly great. can't wait to browse around- just found your blog!
    xo,
    minibaker

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  15. This cake looks and sounds divine!
    I have a few favourite cake recipes that are made with olive oil and will definitely add your recipe to my collection!

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  16. Olive oil makes it so moist doesn't it? I'm so impressed to see you baking Val - you're stretching yourself a little bit more.

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  17. Ouch! I have a couple of new wounds from a new chef's knife too :(

    Glad to hear the cake was worth the war wound - it looks wonderful and I love that it's not too sweet too.

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  18. those mandolins are freakin dangerous! i've only used mine once or twice without losing some of my skin or fingernails. :)

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  19. That looks really delicious...I want a piece right now!
    P.S. Sorry about your boo-boo

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  20. I've wanted to make an olive cake for a long time now and I don't know why I haven't, but this is definitely going to be one of my next recipes I try! And the apples, vanilla, and cinnamon sound amazing! Great recipe, it looks awesome :)

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  21. Oh, ow! Mandolines do bite. I am super careful with mine. This cake looks worth it, though. I love olive oil cakes. Lay off squeezing citrus foods for a while. I'll bet that would smart, while your wound heals. Hopefully, the wound is too bad.

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  22. I've seen upside down cakes of many sorts, but none with apples. This is kind of cross between a tarte tatin and a tender flavorful cake - a great combination.

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  23. Sorry to see you finger Val! I hope you heal up soon! The cake looks fantastic! It is time for an olive oil cake soon!

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  24. Hope you are doing better Val. This cake looks moist and full of flavors.

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  25. There are few things in this world I love more than apple baked goods, Val! This looks so great!

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  26. Ouch! Hope you're all healed by now.
    Love your olive oil cakes.
    LL

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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